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So you’ve probably noticed I took a big time hiatus from FML and I apologize in advance for my negligence. Sometimes life takes over and we forget the important things in life…like taking 50 different pictures of a salad or re-testing pasta sauce until it’s just right. But I’ve reprioritized my life and I’m back on track!

Even during the craziness of my life, I came up with this recipe and it’s super quick and easy and can be enjoyed all week in between your two jobs, yoga classes, shopping spree, Sunday brunches, and endless errands.

Chilled Green Pea Soup

Makes 6 Servings

1 serving = 1 cup

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

1 tbsp olive oil, plus more for garnish

1 bunch green garlic, thinly sliced

1 small onion, thinly sliced

2# shelling or English peas (should be about 4 cups of peas once shelled)

1 quart chicken or vegetable broth

½ cup mascarpone cheese

Just a couple quick notes:Green garlic is usually available at farmer’s markets in the late spring. If your market doesn’t have green garlic you can substitute it with 4-5 cloves of regular sliced garlic. Also if you can’t get your hands on fresh peas, go ahead and use frozen. Just make sure they’re thawed before you cook with them!

Green Garlic

Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add your green garlic and onions and sauté until lightly golden and soft, about 10-15 minutes.

Next add your peas and sauté for 2-3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Add your broth of choice and bring the mixture to a simmer. Cook for 6-7 minutes or until peas are tender, but not mushy.

Add the pea and broth mixture to a blender or food processor and process until smooth. (You might have to do this in batches). While the mixture is pureeing, add the mascarpone until fully incorporated and creamy.

You can either serve this soup warm or chilled. When serving, drizzle extra virgin olive oil on top and garnish with herbs or microgreens of your choice. Nums!

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Here in Chicago it’s been a hot, humid, sticky summer. The thought of standing in front of a charcoal grill cooking up some burgers is the last thing on my mind. So instead of sweating literally into my food, my solution was to stay in the cool comfort of my air-conditioned kitchen.

So…grilled salmon turned into salmon tartare and all for the better.

20 wonton wrappers (square)

five spice powder, to taste

1 pound salmon (I used Coho, but you could use Sockeye, King, etc), small dice

1 medium mango, small dice

1 avocado, small dice

1/3 cup English cucumber, small dice

1 serrano chile, minced

1 tbsp chives, finely chopped

2 tbsp chopped cilantro

2 tbsp ponzu

1 tsp sesame oil

1 tsp fish sauce

1 tsp wasabi paste

2 tbsp fresh lime juice

salt, to taste

Preheat your oven to 350°F. (Yes it’s hot out, but the oven will only be on for 5 minutes!) Take your wonton wrappers and cut them in half on the diagonal to create two triangles. Spray your foil-lined sheet pan with non-stick cooking spray and then place your wonton wrappers on the sheet pan. Spray the tops of the wonton wrappers once they are on the sheet pan. Sprinkle with five spice powder and salt to taste. Bake in the oven for 5-7 minutes or until golden brown.

This will be the most complicated step you have to do. So don’t sweat too much.

About 30 minutes before you plan on serving this dish, combine the dressing and the salmon mixture. Let marinate in the refrigerator and adjust seasoning appropriately.

Serve salmon tartare alongside wonton chips and enjoy this cool dish.

Awww…see…didn’t even break a sweat!

This is a great way to enjoy fish in its most simple form. Be sure to talk to your fish monger to make sure the quality of your fish is high enough to consume it raw. Usually tartare will include some form of fat, either in the form of oil, mayonnaise, or egg yolks. This version has none of the above and instead is dressed in a light, tangy, and acidic vinaigrette. It keeps the tartare high in flavor and light on the calories. Also using a very ripe avocado will add creaminess, a buttery texture and richness to the dish.

It’s a great versatile dish that I enjoy for lunch, serve as a wonderful cocktail hors d’oeuvre, light dinner, and sometimes for a midnight snack.